Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season begins June 1st of each year and ends November 30th. South Florida can be threatened any time during this season. This information will help you prepare for a hurricane. Please take the time to read this information carefully.

The following are some useful definitions:

• TROPICAL DEPRESSION has winds of less than 39 miles per hour or 34 knots.
• TROPICAL STORM has winds from 39 to 73 miles per hour or 34 to 63 knots.
• TROPICAL STORM “WARNING” once issued, can develop into a hurricane.
• HURRICANE “WATCH” - a hurricane may threaten the area within 24-36 hours.
• HURRICANE “WARNING” - a hurricane is expected to strike the area within 24 hours or less.
• HURRICANE has winds of greater than 74 miles per hour or 64 knots.
Category 1 74-95 MPH Minimal
Category 2 95-110 MPH Moderate
Category 3 111-130 Major
Category 4 131-155 Extensive
Category 5 156 MPH + Catastrophic

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE READY IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER?

Before the StormPreparing in advance for hurricane season can determine not only how safely and comfortably you ride out the storm, but also how easily it is to handle the days and weeks after the storm has passed. Take a look at the information collected below to learn how you can prepare in the days and weeks before a hurricane.

Plan your stay or evacuation:Stay Home: However, before you choose this option, make sure you know your elevation. If we experience a storm that may put a significant storm surge in your home, you need to look at the other options. Also, people in manufactured and mobile homes cannot use this option. Mobile homes and manufactured homes are not built to withstand the high winds associated with tropical storms and hurricanes.

Stay With a Friend or Relative Who has a Safe Place: If this is your plan, make arrangements in advance. You need to make sure that where you are going is safe. It defeats the purpose of evacuating if you go to an unsafe place.

Relocate Out of the Area: You may wish to travel out of harm’s way. Be sure to bring a road map and make sure that your car is full of fuel. Stay away from major bodies of water. Make arrangements in advance if you can. If you decide to use this option, go early, traffic will be heavy if you leave at the last minute, and you may not make it to your destination.

Emergency Public Shelters: For more information on Emergency Shelters and a list of available Public Shelters please visit a Miami-Dade Public Library or Publix Su

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 02:46:22 GMT

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 02:41:52 GMT

Issued at 1000 PM CDT Sat Jun 06 2020

059
WTNT43 KNHC 070241
TCDAT3
Tropical Storm Cristobal Discussion Number 22
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032020
1000 PM CDT Sat Jun 06 2020
Cristobal has generally changed little during the past several
hours. The storm continues to exhibit more of a subtropical
appearance in satellite images with a broad wind field and a
limited amount of deep convection near the center. The most
intense convection has been in a squall line that is well east of
the center near or over portions of the Florida peninsula. Data
from both the NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunters support holding
the initial wind speed at 45 kt for this advisory. The center of
Cristobal recently passed very near NOAA buoy 42001 in the central
Gulf of Mexico, which was helpful in assessing the storm's minimum
pressure.
Cristobal is moving northward at about 10 kt between a deep-layer
ridge to its east and a mid- to upper-level trough over the western
Gulf of Mexico. This general motion should continue for about
another day, taking the center of the storm across the Louisiana
coast by Sunday night. After the storm makes landfall, a slight
turn to the northwest is expected on Monday in response to a
mid-level ridge shifting eastward across the southeast U.S. The
track models are in very good agreement and only small changes were
made to the previous NHC forecast.
Cristobal has about another 18-24 hours over water in which it
could strengthen. However, given its broad structure, lack of deep
convection near the center, and dry air that is wrapping into
the west and south sides of the circulation, only a little
strengthening is predicted. After the storm makes landfall, steady
weakening is forecast and the cyclone should weaken to a tropical
depression by late Monday.
Cristobal is a broad and asymmetric storm. Therefore, one should
not focus on the exact forecast track, as the associated winds,
storm surge, and rainfall will extend well away the center.
Key Messages:
1. There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge outside of the
Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System from the Mouth of
the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and a Storm
Surge Warning is in effect for those areas. Life-threatening storm
surge remains possible in other portions of southern and
southeastern Louisiana where a Storm Surge Watch is in effect.
Residents in these locations should follow advice given by local
emergency officials.
2. Tropical storm force winds are expected to begin overnight along
the northern Gulf coast from central Louisiana to the western
Florida Panhandle, including metropolitan New Orleans, and a
Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for this area. These winds
will arrive well in advance of and extend well east of Cristobals
center.
3. Heavy rainfall will continue from central to north Florida
overnight, spreading from east to west across the eastern and
central Gulf coast from the Florida Panhandle into Louisiana
on Sunday. This heavy rain will move into the Lower Mississippi
Valley on Monday and across the Upper Mississippi Valley and
Northern Plains into Tuesday. Significant flooding will be possible
on smaller rivers, especially where heavier rainfall occurs over
portions of the Gulf coast through the Mississippi River Valley.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INIT 07/0300Z 26.2N 90.2W 45 KT 50 MPH
12H 07/1200Z 27.6N 90.2W 50 KT 60 MPH
24H 08/0000Z 29.5N 90.7W 45 KT 50 MPH...INLAND
36H 08/1200Z 31.8N 91.8W 35 KT 40 MPH...INLAND
48H 09/0000Z 34.5N 92.8W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
60H 09/1200Z 38.3N 92.6W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
72H 10/0000Z 43.0N 91.0W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
96H 11/0000Z 50.5N 86.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 12/0000Z...DISSIPATED
$$
Forecaster Cangialosi

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 02:41:25 GMT

...OUTER RAINBANDS OF CRISTOBAL MOVING ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE GULF COAST... ...CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE...
As of 10:00 PM CDT Sat Jun 6
the center of Cristobal was located near 26.2, -90.2
with movement N at 12 mph.
The minimum central pressure was 993 mb
with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph.

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 02:41:25 GMT

Issued at 1000 PM CDT Sat Jun 06 2020

000
WTNT33 KNHC 070241
TCPAT3
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Cristobal Advisory Number 22
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032020
1000 PM CDT Sat Jun 06 2020
...OUTER RAINBANDS OF CRISTOBAL MOVING ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE
GULF COAST...
...CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE...
SUMMARY OF 1000 PM CDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...26.2N 90.2W
ABOUT 210 MI...340 KM SSW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...993 MB...29.33 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi
* Lake Borgne
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* East of Morgan City Louisiana to the mouth of the Mississippi
River
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton County
Florida line
* Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline,
during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction
of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm
Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a
life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas
should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from
rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.
Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local
officials.
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the
coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1000 PM CDT (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal
was located near latitude 26.2 North, longitude 90.2 West. Cristobal
is moving toward the north near 12 mph (19 km/h) and this general
motion is expected to continue for the next day or so, followed by a
gradual turn toward the north-northwest. On the forecast track, the
center of Cristobal will be near the northern Gulf of Mexico
coast on Sunday. Cristobal's center is then forecast to move
inland across Louisiana late Sunday through Monday morning, and
northward across Arkansas and Missouri Monday afternoon into
Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher
gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast until landfall occurs on
the northern Gulf coast. Weakening will begin once Cristobal moves
inland late Sunday and Monday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 240 miles (390 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure based on surface observations and data
from the NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunters is 993 mb (29.33
inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Cristobal can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3, WMO header WTNT43 KNHC, and
on the web at https://www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT3.shtml
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs MS including Lake
Borgne...3-5 ft
Morgan City LA to Mouth of the Mississippi River...2-4 ft
Ocean Springs MS to Marco Island FL including Mobile Bay, Pensacola
Bay, and Tampa Bay...1-3 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of
onshore winds and will likely extend along the coast well to the
east of the center. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative
timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over
short distances. For information specific to your area, please see
products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast
office.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the Tropical
Storm Warning area along the northern Gulf coast beginning Sunday
morning.
RAINFALL: Cristobal is expected to produce total rainfall
accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the eastern and central Gulf
coast into the Lower Mississippi Valley, with isolated amounts to 12
inches. Isolated significant river flooding is possible along the
central Gulf coast. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with local
amounts to 6 inches, are expected across portions of the Mid and
Upper Mississippi Valley and Northern Plains near and in advance of
Cristobal. This rainfall may lead to flash flooding and widespread
flooding on smaller streams across the Mid-Mississippi Valley.
TORNADOES: A few tornadoes will be possible overnight into Sunday
morning from Florida westward across the central Gulf coast region.
SURF: Swells generated by Cristobal will affect portions of the
northern and eastern Gulf coast during the next couple of days.
These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions. Please consult products from your local
weather office.
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next intermediate advisory at 100 AM CDT.
Next complete advisory at 400 AM CDT.
$$
Forecaster Cangialosi/Latto

Sat, 06 Jun 2020 23:11:58 GMT

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical
Storm Cristobal, centered over the central Gulf of Mexico.

An area of low pressure is expected to develop along a cold front a
few hundred miles east or northeast of Bermuda by the middle of
next week. Some development of this system is possible while it
moves northwestward or west-northwestward over the western Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent.